You don’t need microplastic dusters or feather dusters. Just use a soft damp cloth oto remove dirt. Most furniture polish contains methylisothiazolinone (a neurotoxic that harms lungs and causes allergies). Conventional polish also leaves silicone build-up on wood. You can recycle empty cans (securely bin half-empty ones).
Most ‘natural polish’ contains beeswax, which smells yukky and is not suitable for vegans. The good news is that there are good plant-based natural furniture polishes:
Bio-D Furniture Polish is a blend of plant-based wax and natural oils (including linseed oil) to nourish wooden furniture to banisters, sold in an easy-to-recycle aluminium tin. Suitable for septic tanks, it’s made using solar power. Just apply with a soft cloth, and buff gently. Regular use helps to resist spills and finger-marks.
Linseed nourishes wood but is flammable, so store away from heat.
This furniture polishing wax is a simple blend of three ingredients (calendular wax, pine and jojoba oils) to polish, seal and protect wooden furniture (you can also use it to protect existing leather items, though we would not recommend buying new, to be cow-friendly!) Handmade in Devon, this wax nourishes and feeds wood. The wax buffs to high shine.
How to Protect Wood Furniture
- Arrange furniture (and use curtains) to protect wood from sunlight, and use coasters to protect against water damage from spills.
- To revive wood furniture, use a mix of warm water and mild soap and apply with a soft cloth. You can remove grime by mixing equal parts water or olive oil with white vinegar.
- You can fill in minor scratches, by rubbing the meat of a walnut or pecan into the dent. Do not use nuts near children or pets. Or rub natural toothpaste into the scratch with a circular motion, and wipe with a damp cloth. Never use xylitol toothpastes near pets.
- For deeper dents, use a damp cloth and apply steam using an iron (without directly touching the wood). This can help lift the wood fibres back into place.
